I believe in heroes. I have quite a few. Kelly Johnson is
one of them. He was the greatest aircraft designer of all
time. Period.

Besides his
aircraft prowess, he was a helluva guy. A helluva manager.
His airplanes were built in record short time, by tiny workforces, at
low cost.

We could learn a lot
from him today.......a lot.

Kelly - 1933

In the University of Michigan
wind tunnel with the early Model 10 Electra. He disputed the Wind
Tunnel Lab Report on stability with a single vertical fin, pioneered
the trademark Lockheed twin tail design, and got hired by Lockheed.

Working in Flight Test during Model 10
Electra testing - c. late 1930s

Kelly and P-38 Fighter Pilot - c.1944

Kelly with Model of P-80
Shooting Star - c.1948

Shaking hands with Tony LeVier in the YP-80

With a line up of P-80 Shooting Stars

Kelly in the cockpit of an F-104

1959

Kelly receiving the Collier Trophy for the F-104 from then
Vice-President Richard Nixon
Kelly with his new Jetstar - September 1957

First Flight of the Jetstar

Kelly with
Francis Gary Powers in front of a U-2A

Kelly in
front of CIA U-2 N803X

Kelly in front of a U-2 and an F-104

As Tony LeVier said, "One had NO wing, and the other was ALL wing!"

Kelly with YF-12A

1964

Kelly receiving the Medal of Freedom from President Lynden Johnson at
The White House - America's Highest Civilian Award
Kelly in cockpit of A-12B

Kelly in front of an SR-71

1983

Kelly receiving the National Security Medal from President Ronald
Reagan